Google: search results helps predict hotel occupancy

A report shows a positive correlation between Google search data and hotel demand measured by STR. Google reports that 46% of travellers say they make their booking decision on mobile devices.

A report prepared by benchmark analytics technology company STR and Google shows that tracking hotel search results can be a reliable gauge of hotel bookings.

The report compares Google search, STR demand and bookings trends for hotels in New York and London from 2014 through 2016, and evaluates weekly and monthly hotel performance against Google’s search metrics.

“Based on the data analyzed, we found a positive correlation as well as a statistically significant relationship between Google search data and hotel demand measured by STR for both London and New York. With a confidence interval of 95%, we are able to conclude that higher Google search volumes can be associated with higher STR demand levels.”

While socio-economic factors such as shock events, public policy and currency fluctuations have affected the performance of the two markets involved in the study, and seasonal cycles still play a role in anticipating demand, the report suggests that Google search results can yield beneficial insights to both long and short-term planning and help predict consumer intent.

“By using Google search and STR demand data, hotels can assess interest in a particular destination and see how booking patterns evolve. We see this as a continuous process of monitoring and analyzing search and demand data.